Bon Jovi continues "Because We Can" without Richie Sambora

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has left the band's in-progress "Because We Can" world tour for "personal reasons."

The New Jersey rockers released a two-sentence statement Wednesday (4/3) that read, "Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg. All shows will go on as scheduled."

The "Bon Jovi Because We Can - The Tour," which kicked off in early February, continued without Sambora earlier this week in Calgary (4/2) and Edmonton (4/3).

A note posted at the band's website early Friday (4/4) welcomed Phil X back to the band. The Canadian guitarist will presumably fill in while Sambora's out; he performed on Bon Jovi's 2011 tour while Sambora was in rehab.

The "Because We Can" trek returns to the stage Saturday (4/5) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and will continue for more than three months, canvassing North America through the end of April before moving on to Europe, the Far East, Africa and Latin America.

Ticketing information is available at the group's website.

Bon Jovi's 12th studio album "What About Now" hit retailers last month. The effort, which follows 2009's "The Circle," debuted at the top of The Billboard 200, making it the band's third consecutive set to hit No. 1.